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Have you ever asked a grown-up a question and they gave you an answer that didn’t really answer anything? Maybe it was confusing, went off-topic, or just felt like they were avoiding the real question. Sometimes, politicians do this too! It can be tricky to figure out what they really mean when they don’t give a clear “yes” or “no.” There’s actually a way to understand why they might do this, and it’s called the theory of equivocation.
Think of equivocation like being a master of dodging. It’s when someone communicates in a way that isn’t straightforward. Imagine asking a politician if they’ll lower taxes, and instead of saying “yes” or “no,” they start talking about how important it is to spend money wisely and help the economy. That might sound important, but it doesn’t really answer your question! Experts say equivocation happens when someone’s answer seems ambiguous (like it could mean different things), contradictory (saying two opposite things), tangential (going off on a different subject), obscure (hard to understand), or even just evasive (avoiding the question). It’s like they’re intentionally using unclear language to avoid giving a direct answer.
So, why would a politician want to be slippery like that? Well, imagine you ask them a question where every possible answer could make some people upset. For example, if they’re asked if they’ll close down a popular park to build something else, saying “yes” will make park lovers angry, but saying “no” might upset people who want the new building. This is what experts call a “communicative” or “avoidance-avoidance” conflict. They have to give an answer because you asked, but they want to avoid the bad feelings that any direct answer might cause. So, instead of a clear answer, they might give you an answer that sounds good but doesn’t really commit to anything.
Knowing about equivocation can help you become a super-smart kid or teen when it comes to politics. If a politician isn’t giving you a straight answer, ask yourself: are they being ambiguous? Are they changing the subject? Are they making it hard to understand what they really mean? If so, they might be equivocating! It’s important to try and understand what politicians truly stand for, and sometimes, you need to listen carefully to see if they’re really answering your questions or just being slippery to avoid making tough choices or upsetting people. Don’t be afraid to ask for clearer answers!
Reference:
This idea of “equivocation” comes from the work of a group of smart people, including Janet Bavelas, who wrote “Equivocal Communication” book about it in 1990.
Want to Dig Deeper?
Try this: Next time you watch a news clip or see a politician being interviewed, pay close attention to their answers. Did they directly answer the question? Or did they talk around it? Discuss with your friends or family if you think the politician was being slippery and why they might have chosen to answer that way. You can even pretend to be a reporter and ask your family members tough questions to see if they try to equivocate! This will help you become a master at spotting those slippery answers in the real world.